Professor Long,
Thank you so much for everything that you have done this semester. You were always encouraging and attentive to each and every one of us in the class. I have been, and continue to be incredibly impressed by how you make a personal connection with every individual. You know everyone's names, their individual ideas they've contributed, even their activities outside of class (I was very pleasantly surprised by your attention to my singing!). Your enthusiasm for the subject material was not only infectious but also enabled us to learn so much from you. You have been encouraging and inspiring to every single one of us. I think that, even more so than the format of the blog or the way you structured the course, has made each of us more responsible for our own education and engaging ourselves with the material. I have really enjoyed having you as my teacher and I hope I'll be able to learn more from you in the future. Thank you for the dynamic you created inside and outside the classroom.

Jordan, your metaphor is very reminiscent of Aristotelian ethics. I personally really resonate with Nicomachean Ethics, and find many of the models outlined in the text a helpful and (I think, more importantly) practical way of living well. In the text, various "forms"of virtues are detailed. Each has corresponding vices which are defined as the form or quality in excess or deficiency. In order to achieve the particular virtues so that we may live a Good life, we must continually strive for the mean. This is perfectly illustrated by your arrow metaphor. Each virtue is likened to a bull's eye, with the mean being the center, excess and deficiency surrounding. In order to achieve virtue (and more generally, the Good), we must aim at the center of that bull's eye.

As an addition: according to Nicomachean ethics, we must also take into account our own person and our own tendencies towards excess or deficiency in regards to various characteristics. Understanding where we are and where we come from allows us to more accurately aim and compensate for whatever way we may tend towards.

I'm so glad that everyone has been receptive to this music parallel. Mike, I think you are correct in your comment. The aside you included was very interesting as well (I didn't know Bruce used monitors!!).

In response to Kit's comment, while extemporaneous expression is often a good test of someone's knowledge or skill, I don't think that is always the case. I am someone who prefers to do things off the cuff, but time and time again, a little forethought has put me to shame, especially in regards to performing! I can't count how many times I thought I would be fine (because I knew my music, words, etc...) but slip ups occurred. Things like this can be prevented by a little forethought and preparation (to which memorization is foundational).

And in case anyone is interested, here is the website for my acapella group, None of the Above (NOTA) : http://www.clubs.psu.edu/up/nota/Home.html

and our youtube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/NoneOfTheAbovePSU

The current music from this semester will be up in the next couple of weeks...!

Haha a very funny idea. In our time I'm sure Socrates would be considered a little bit of a nut. Funny enough, however, he was a little odd even back then... But bringing up mental disorders is kind of interesting. As a Psych major, I am really fascinated by different psychological disorders, and what I find to be an important component to understanding mental illness is that the functioning (or rather misfunctioning) of the minds of those afflicted with mental disease are often eerily similar to the thought patterns of a "normal" person. Those with disorders just get a little extreme. So while Socrates may have been diagnosed with mental disorders, his ideas may not be so off the deep end. Maybe we should not only recognize how more similar we are than different from those with mental disorders, but also try to be like Socrates and question and reflect and orient ourselves towards the Good.

Tony, you have cultivated a very striking and interesting idea. On the surface it seems as though it may be different, this birth of discovery and love, but the more that I reflect upon it, the more they seem to coincide. But I think at the crux of the issue is a need to really pin down love or eros. As all the speeches in the Symposium show, there are a multitude of facets of love. I don't doubt, however, that the particular kind of love and birth of discovery you detailed coincide.

Another quote I forgot to include:
"S: Where's that boy of mine I was talking to? He must hear also, lest from not hearing it he go and gratify the one who doesn't love.

P: He's always here, right beside you, whenever you want him.

S: Now then, my handsome boy..." (243e)

Thoughts?

I think in Socrates' second speech he is qualifying another aspect of madness that is not necessarily evil. One of which, being divine inspiration leading to artistic perfection.
I agree with a lot of what has been said about "art" in general; I believe its definition is very debatable but often an innate "gift" leads to true esteem.
However, I think characterizing the most esteemed artists by their natural "gift" is rather narrow. While it is true, many artists seem to possess their abilities innately, I think much has to be said for hard work and perseverance in attaining artistic excellence. Perhaps it is a very western way of looking at things, but I think many of us can identify with the belief in hard work. In this country it is ingrained in us that we can achieve whatever we put our minds to. I think in many respects, this extends to artistic achievement as well.
In regards to your post, John, you pose some really great questions. In Socrates speech, I think his examples of "madness" (including art) are to tributes to piety in the way that they are linked to the divine (and divinely endowed). While upon my initial reading, my impression was that each instance of "madness" was merely an example of how it may not be evil. But after reflection, I think the examples of madness speak the underlying tone of piety and respect for the divine. In regards to art, I think Socrates would characterize excellence in art (and being divinely inspired by the Muses and such) as yet another way to transcend human mortality and reach to be closer to the divine.

Personally, I'm assuming love to convey its meaning in the broadest sense of the word. I must agree with a lot of what has already been said, but I think there is also another component to love enslavement that hasn't been brought forth completely. While many individuals do anything to find love, I think even more so, many people are addicted to being loved in any way they can. Whether it be as harmless as shamelessly flirting with someone for their attentions (even though you may not be interested in them) or as serious as reckless one night stands, our society is full of empty gestures of affection. It seems as though we are slaves to wanting to feel loved and just do things for the sensation and excitement.

While I agree with you about maturity levels being important in compatible partners, I think there is some truth and wisdom to what Socrates says. Age is only a number, but we are also subject to different stages in our lives. These stages often fall in common spans of our lives. I think all of us can attest to the big difference between high school and college, for instance.

In regards to partners being equal or superior, I think it is a question that doesn't have a simple answer. Additionally I don't think individuals are strictly defined as being better or worse than one another. I think the relationship of superiority and inferiority of partners is a constant dynamic struggle. I think Socrates' depiction is rather superficially simplistic.

I'm sorry that was so incredibly long!!